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Great northern diver

Amber conservation status

Latin name

Gavia immer

Family

Divers (Gaviidae)

Overview

The largest of the UK's divers, it has a bigger, heavier head and bill than its commoner relatives. It is largely a winter visitor to our shores although some non-breeding birds stay off northern coasts in the summer.

Where to see them

Around coasts where it is usually solitary, often farther out to sea than other divers. Occasionally seen inland on reservoirs. Largest numbers off the Northern and Western Isles of Scotland and also the Cornish coast.

When to see them

They start to arrive offshore in August and birds move back to their largely Icelandic breeding grounds in April and May.

What they eat

Fish and crustaceans

Estimated numbers

EuropeUK breeding*UK wintering*UK passage*
--2,500-3,000 birds-

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.

Distribution

Key

Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.

1 illustration

Illustrations
Great northern diver

Great northern divers - non-breeding plumage (foreground) and adult breeding (background)

Similar birds

Black-throated divers (illustration)

Black-throated diver

Red-throated diver in summer plumage (illustration)

Red-throated diver

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